KUALA LUMPUR: The delegates meeting of three Umno wings, namely Wanita, Youth and Puteri at the Umno General Assembly next month which will not be opened by the Umno deputy president is not an issue to be blown up to affect the party.

Several Umno veterans viewed that continuous debate on the matter would only weaken the largest Malay party, especially at the grassroots level.

Former Umno Wanita chief, Rafidah Aziz said what was more important was for the leadership at all grassroots levels to implement their responsibilities wholeheartedly and more seriously in the struggle for the party’s objectives.

“The question of opening (the various wings) is a small matter…the important thing is for all at the grassroots to work seriously with commitment. Disputes between leaders should not be a cause to break up Umno at the grassroots.

“Individuals are not important…as individuals can come and go,” she said when contacted by Bernama today.

Rafidah said the priority now was for Umno members to struggle in the interest of the party and not for any particular individual.

She stressed that Umno needed to be strengthened if it wanted to continue being relevant and to lead the nation.

The Umno Supreme Council meeting yesterday decided that the three meetings would be officiated by the respective movements’ heads.

Prime Minister Najib Razak, who is also Umno president said the decision was made following the proposal by all the wings concerned.

Meanwhile, Syed Hamid Albar said the decision was not something in conflict with the party constitution even though it was the practice of the party before this.

He said a change in the practice of the party could take place if there was consensus at the Supreme Council.

“So, what is practice all this while can be changed if there is agreement, the matter is not something of an injustice.

“A new decision can be made to change all resolutions or practices as long as the matter is not in conflict with the party constitution.

– BERNAMA